Friday, August 31, 2007
Cruise Video
Oh yeah. Check out the top link in the "News items of note" block on the right side. Title is "What the USS John C Stennis Has Been Up To." It has a cool 7-minute video summarizing all that JCS did during the deployment. It's even narrated by the ship's CO, CAPT Johanson (callsign JOHO).
I'm Home.
I write this from my living room at home, in a very quiet, very comfortable late night stillness. There are no pumps humming, no fans buzzing, no catapults shaking me out of the rack. No bells, no whistles, no 1MC announcements to "Heave out". I don't even know what that means! Good thing I either slept or flew through that one most days.
I am home.
Homecoming was awesome. We'll get some pictures on line soon. Nana has several online already. We lifted seven helicopters from the deck of JCS at 0730 and flew them all in together. Six of them were in a beautiful formation. My aircraft, the seventh, was all by itself, making a bee-line from the ship to the the runway at North Island. The aircraft has a severe structural crack and was cleared by engineers for a one-time flight to get it off the ship. Nothing fancy. Minimal weight, minimum time, minimum crew. That was OK with me. We were on deck, waiting for the rest by the time the six-helo v-shaped formation flew over the famous double-domed hangars at North Island at 200 feet. They looked awesome.
We all taxied into the line together, and shut down simultaneously (well, almost simultaneously). A huge crowd of families and friends was there to welcome us. By the time I got all my flight gear off, I had my own small crowd of family running at me across the flight line. I quickly had two little girls in my arms, with tears coming down all our faces. Each of my ladies received a red rose that I had picked up from a strategically placed flower "vendor" while we taxied in.
After a chance to sit at the hangar and relax for a few minutes, we caught sight of the STENNIS pulling into San Diego Bay and hurried over to the pier (also at North Island) to greet our two Tigers who were now all "alone" on the ship. Fortunately, HS-8 and their Tigers were among the first to get off the ship; so after a painful 40 minute wait as the Port Ops guys set up the brow, Nana and Katelynn were soon reunited with the rest of us.
I haven't written during the last few days, as we've spent just about every waking moment reuniting as a family. I've tried my best to stay away from the computer (not always successfully). Janell has made some great changes around the house that I continue to get used to. Homecoming is awesome, but there are always adjustments. So far, it's been awesome. I'm off work until the 4th, then I go back for about a week and a half. Then I'm taking about 12 days of leave. Definitely time that I need to take off.
Tomorrow, we're going for bike rides and a run (that's me) at Rhor Park then I'll take one of the girls out for lunch. I'm going to spend a little one-on-one time with each of the girls over the next few days. We've had some great family time together so far, though. We'll all to Flyball practice together on Sunday afternoon. This week is flying by.
As thoughts occur to me during our transition back to normal life, I'll use this forum to reflect on them. It's an often humorous, sometimes frustrating process. As much as life at sea, often more so, life around here is an adventure! Thanks for sticking around.
Homecoming was awesome. We'll get some pictures on line soon. Nana has several online already. We lifted seven helicopters from the deck of JCS at 0730 and flew them all in together. Six of them were in a beautiful formation. My aircraft, the seventh, was all by itself, making a bee-line from the ship to the the runway at North Island. The aircraft has a severe structural crack and was cleared by engineers for a one-time flight to get it off the ship. Nothing fancy. Minimal weight, minimum time, minimum crew. That was OK with me. We were on deck, waiting for the rest by the time the six-helo v-shaped formation flew over the famous double-domed hangars at North Island at 200 feet. They looked awesome.
We all taxied into the line together, and shut down simultaneously (well, almost simultaneously). A huge crowd of families and friends was there to welcome us. By the time I got all my flight gear off, I had my own small crowd of family running at me across the flight line. I quickly had two little girls in my arms, with tears coming down all our faces. Each of my ladies received a red rose that I had picked up from a strategically placed flower "vendor" while we taxied in.
After a chance to sit at the hangar and relax for a few minutes, we caught sight of the STENNIS pulling into San Diego Bay and hurried over to the pier (also at North Island) to greet our two Tigers who were now all "alone" on the ship. Fortunately, HS-8 and their Tigers were among the first to get off the ship; so after a painful 40 minute wait as the Port Ops guys set up the brow, Nana and Katelynn were soon reunited with the rest of us.
I haven't written during the last few days, as we've spent just about every waking moment reuniting as a family. I've tried my best to stay away from the computer (not always successfully). Janell has made some great changes around the house that I continue to get used to. Homecoming is awesome, but there are always adjustments. So far, it's been awesome. I'm off work until the 4th, then I go back for about a week and a half. Then I'm taking about 12 days of leave. Definitely time that I need to take off.
Tomorrow, we're going for bike rides and a run (that's me) at Rhor Park then I'll take one of the girls out for lunch. I'm going to spend a little one-on-one time with each of the girls over the next few days. We've had some great family time together so far, though. We'll all to Flyball practice together on Sunday afternoon. This week is flying by.
As thoughts occur to me during our transition back to normal life, I'll use this forum to reflect on them. It's an often humorous, sometimes frustrating process. As much as life at sea, often more so, life around here is an adventure! Thanks for sticking around.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Going Home
This will be my LAST blog post at sea. The ready room is a disaster area as we pack things up and get ready to offload on the pier in San Diego. We brief our fly-off in a couple hours and we'll be in the air in about 15 hours. The ship will be pierside in about 19 hours. I'm not sure how much longer I'll have a computer with which to write, so I figure I'd better close out now while I have a chance.
The girls are just about done packing up their stuff in their room. They get to ride the ship into San Diego Bay without me. We'll meet them as they walk off the ship tomorrow. Katelynn won't let me finish this blog post. She keeps smacking my head. Silly girl. Now she won't stop giggling. I didn't know you could have a giggle of girls with only one!
OK, now I'm off to go pack my room up and get ready to fly off tomorrow morning. It's been a long cruise. Full of personal and professional challenges and lessons and growth. It's good to be wrapping up and heading home, though. I need to be with my family as much as they need me to be home. Thanks for sharing in my journey. I'll post more pictures from home when I have a better internet connection. For now, I'm signing off and going home.
The girls are just about done packing up their stuff in their room. They get to ride the ship into San Diego Bay without me. We'll meet them as they walk off the ship tomorrow. Katelynn won't let me finish this blog post. She keeps smacking my head. Silly girl. Now she won't stop giggling. I didn't know you could have a giggle of girls with only one!
OK, now I'm off to go pack my room up and get ready to fly off tomorrow morning. It's been a long cruise. Full of personal and professional challenges and lessons and growth. It's good to be wrapping up and heading home, though. I need to be with my family as much as they need me to be home. Thanks for sharing in my journey. I'll post more pictures from home when I have a better internet connection. For now, I'm signing off and going home.
Much to do, not much time!
Another busy day done. And tomorrow looks to be even crazier. I still haven't started packing my stuff. That's what I'll be doing tomorrow. We just signed the flight schedule for tomorrow all the way through the 4th of September, so that feels very good. The girls are, of course, in bed. Nana went to bed pretty "early". It wasn't really that early because we changed clocks forward again tonight. Only one hour behind San Diego now. Katelynn hung out with me in the ready room while we worked on the monster flight schedule. I got to talk to her a little about what I do for my job. I think she was thoroughly bored, but it was good time together.
Most of the major Tiger events were cancelled today for a variety of reasons. I took the girls for a personalized tour of the helicopter, the catapult and arresting gear machinery rooms, some of the squadron work spaces, the barber shop, the library, and the chapel. We have church tomorrow morning at 10. I'd better get to bed before too late. Tomorrow's going to be a long day. Lots of packing and moving stuff. Last day on the ship!!
We have some pictures to share, but they're on Nana's camera and I forgot to get it from her before she went to bed. I'll try to share those tomorrow before I shut down my computer. Until then, good night!
Most of the major Tiger events were cancelled today for a variety of reasons. I took the girls for a personalized tour of the helicopter, the catapult and arresting gear machinery rooms, some of the squadron work spaces, the barber shop, the library, and the chapel. We have church tomorrow morning at 10. I'd better get to bed before too late. Tomorrow's going to be a long day. Lots of packing and moving stuff. Last day on the ship!!
We have some pictures to share, but they're on Nana's camera and I forgot to get it from her before she went to bed. I'll try to share those tomorrow before I shut down my computer. Until then, good night!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
It doesn't take long
Remember my post a while back about the science experiments that were done by putting people into caves and limiting their exposure to light? Their body clocks became disoriented and their perception of time became warped. Tonight as we were about to get dinner, Katelynn asked me if we were having lunch or dinner. She honestly didn't know. A few minutes later, Nana asked me what day it was. Yup. They're in the Navy now. And it's only been 3 days!
When we talked about the fact that we were half way home already, Katelynn was actually disappointed. I think she's enjoying the unlimited supply of Dog! Rich, I leave it to your comments to explain that one.
Today, we watched the air power demonstration on the flight deck. Some low clouds caused a few alterations to the intended events, but overall it was very impressive and very LOUD. The ladies visited the ship's bakery and Katelynn made friends with the Baker. She decorated five cupcakes and brought half a dozen back to the ready room to share! Needless to say, she's now a favorite Tiger of all Eightballers.
This afternoon, they toured the Combat Direction Center, and I took them on a tour of Air Operations and Strike Operations. Once again, Katelynn did a great job navigating around the ship. I think they only got lost twice today. But they definitely got out and explored quite a bit. Unfortunately, I've stayed pretty busy, getting the squadron ready to arrive at home and fly off safely. We still have a flight schedule to put together every day as well. Eventually, I'll need to pack my stuff up, too! Only 2 days and a wake up.
When we talked about the fact that we were half way home already, Katelynn was actually disappointed. I think she's enjoying the unlimited supply of Dog! Rich, I leave it to your comments to explain that one.
Today, we watched the air power demonstration on the flight deck. Some low clouds caused a few alterations to the intended events, but overall it was very impressive and very LOUD. The ladies visited the ship's bakery and Katelynn made friends with the Baker. She decorated five cupcakes and brought half a dozen back to the ready room to share! Needless to say, she's now a favorite Tiger of all Eightballers.
This afternoon, they toured the Combat Direction Center, and I took them on a tour of Air Operations and Strike Operations. Once again, Katelynn did a great job navigating around the ship. I think they only got lost twice today. But they definitely got out and explored quite a bit. Unfortunately, I've stayed pretty busy, getting the squadron ready to arrive at home and fly off safely. We still have a flight schedule to put together every day as well. Eventually, I'll need to pack my stuff up, too! Only 2 days and a wake up.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Tiger Day 2. On the Move!
Just as I suspected, the girls were beat by 8 o'clock tonight. Of course it didn't help that at 8 o'clock, we shifted our clocks forward one hour and lost an hour! Oh, how I love losing those hours. We're only 2 hours behind San Diego now. Let's see if I can recount the Tiger Adventures for them today...
They started out by heading down to the 2nd deck to tour the Brig. The line was so long for that, they waved off and headed back up to the hangar bay to sign up for a tour of the medical department. While they waited for the tour, Katelynn got to practice line handling with the Deck department, tossing lines across the hangar. She was a natural! She has an amazing sense of where she is on the ship and has learned very quickly how to find her way around. Just like her mommy.
Next we headed up to the foc'sle to see the anchor chains and hear about how the men and women of the deck department use the equipment to put the ship at anchor or tie up to the pier.
The time for their tour of medical finally arrived and just as the tour guide showed up, an actual medical emergency was called away and their tour guide disappeared, running toward the scene of the emergency. Fortunately, it was not a major problem and he soon returned to show them around the clinic downstairs, explaining about the appendectomies, and other surgeries that have been performed on board the ship during deployment. They got to see x rays of some pretty nasty bone breaks and even of a light bulb in some sailor's stomach! Don't worry, everything came out fine in the end.
After medical, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed up to Vultures Row on the 09 level (an observation deck 5 floors above the flight deck) to watch a launch and recovery operations. We also got to watch a practice of the air power demo (aka air show) that will be performed tomorrow morning. Katelynn was very brave and endured some very loud noises for over an hour! I think she liked it. She didn't want to leave, anyway! Nana had tears in her eyes.
Next, we signed up for a tour of the Bridge. While we waited for that, we grabbed a snack at the 7-11 store and watched aircraft get moved around in the hangar, and get moved between the hangar and the flight deck via Elevator 2. It was funny to see what a big deal aircraft moves were to all the Tigers. Such a mundane, every-day task was a major event for all our visitors, who were glued to the scene, often getting in the way of the safety observers! My tigers sought shelter under the stabilator of an F/A-18, knowing that the towed aircraft wouldn't run them over there!
Our tour of the bridge was quick but fairly interesting. We could tell they just wanted to get us out of there so they could get back to work driving the ship. I can't blame them. Next we went up to PriFly, where the Air Boss sits, right above the bridge. He wasn't up there, but a couple of very nice aviation bos'n's mates patiently explained what they do up there and how the tower is run. Katelynn even got to sit in Air Boss' chair! We were invited down to the LSO platform during the recovery tomorrow after the Air Show. Not sure if will work out, but we'll try.
Our last touristy stop was in Flight Deck Control where the "Handler" manages all the aircraft on the flight deck and the hangar bay using a "Ouija Board" mock up of the decks with little cut-out aircraft replica's showing where they are spotted and each aircraft's status. It's a very complicated problem with a very simple solution. For years, engineers have tried to develop a fancy computer program to replace the simple, elegant, and antiquated flight deck board, but they just can't do it.
After dinner, and a short break to rest in the ready room, we headed back up to the Foc'sle to celebrate as one of HS-8's Chiefs re-enlisted tonight. It was a great way to wrap up the day. Tomorrow promises to be just as busy. Hopefully the ladies will be able to sleep well again tonight. The gentle rocking of the ship worked wonders last night. So far, no queasiness, either. Keep praying!
OK... three days and a wake-up. Almost there. Enjoy the pictures...
Katelynn & Daddy at the USS ARIZONA museum, with JCS in the background (our home for the next six days)
Katelynn says goodbye to Mommy one last time from Elevator 1 while we sit pier-side in Pearl Harbor
Getting ready for launch.
Katelynn and Nana in the Foc'sle. Each link of the anchor chain weighs over 600 pounds!
Enjoying lunch today in Wardroom I.
AIR BOSS Katelynn is ready to run the flight schedule. Now launching from Catapult 1!!Thursday, August 23, 2007
Happy Birthday, Beth!
First things, first... HAPPY BIRTH DAY, BETH!! My bright little girl is 4 today!! Shortly before I left home, I tried to help Beth understand how long I would be gone. I explained that when her birthday came in August, I would be home. That seemed to make sense to her. When I got home from work the next day, she proudly announced "It's my birthday!". OK.. maybe she didn't quite get it. Well, today I had the chance to wish her a happy birthday over the phone as I stood on Elevator 3 in the hangar bay, overlooking the pier at Pearl Harbor. We were just a couple hours from pulling out. As I was asking her how her birthday was going, she clearly told me that since it was her birthday, it was time for me to come home. I'm coming, Bethie!!! I'm coming!
We got underway from Pearl Harbor this morning, and are now steaming east. Nana, Katelynn and I were up on the flight deck as we left the pier, rendered honors to the remains of the USS ARIZONA and her crew, and then inched out of the harbour toward open ocean.
I don't think Nana slept very well last night, and she was pretty wiped out all day. Just moving around the ship can be a workout, too. Lot's of climbing ladders and high-stepping through knee-knockers. Today we got down to the ship store to get Nana a coffee mug before they run out. That was a priority! They held off on starting their PQS books today. Maybe tomorrow they'll have the energy to wander around and explore a bit. We enjoyed watching the sun set from the fantail after dinner tonight. Of course, all our cameras were 1000 feet away in the staterooms up by the bow. Oh well. I'm sure the sun will set again tomorrow.
We will have flight operations tomorrow and it will be Nana and Katelynn's day to view flight ops from Vulture's Row, an area up in the island overlooking the flight deck. Different groups of tigers have access to Vultures Row on different days.
They went to bed early tonight, and I look forward to wearing them out again tomorrow!
We got underway from Pearl Harbor this morning, and are now steaming east. Nana, Katelynn and I were up on the flight deck as we left the pier, rendered honors to the remains of the USS ARIZONA and her crew, and then inched out of the harbour toward open ocean.
I don't think Nana slept very well last night, and she was pretty wiped out all day. Just moving around the ship can be a workout, too. Lot's of climbing ladders and high-stepping through knee-knockers. Today we got down to the ship store to get Nana a coffee mug before they run out. That was a priority! They held off on starting their PQS books today. Maybe tomorrow they'll have the energy to wander around and explore a bit. We enjoyed watching the sun set from the fantail after dinner tonight. Of course, all our cameras were 1000 feet away in the staterooms up by the bow. Oh well. I'm sure the sun will set again tomorrow.
We will have flight operations tomorrow and it will be Nana and Katelynn's day to view flight ops from Vulture's Row, an area up in the island overlooking the flight deck. Different groups of tigers have access to Vultures Row on different days.
They went to bed early tonight, and I look forward to wearing them out again tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Aloha!
We're finally all here in Hawaii. I was able to meet Nana and Katelynn in baggage claim at the airport yesterday. We spent the afternoon at the beach and pool and enjoyed delicious fish for dinner at Dukes Canoe Club (right here at our hotel, the Outrigger Waikiki). Don't want to spend too much time hanging out in the hotel room. We only have the rest of today to explore Oahu, so I'm just going to post a few pictures here, then we're going to explore. Today we'll go drop off bags at the ship, then visit the USS ARIZONA Memorial, and take a drive around the island. Perhaps we'll find a Luau for dinner tonight. Liberty expires at 0200, but I don't think we'll need to worry about being late. We were all in bed at 8 o'clock last night. The ladies were beat from the 3-hour time difference and I was beat from only getting 4 hours of sleep. 11 hours of sleep later, we got up for an excellent beach-front brunch at Dukes. Without further ado, here are the photos so far, and we're outta here. We'll write more from sea...
Saturday, August 18, 2007
De ja vu
Just when I think life is going to slow down, it never does. We flew a ton of VERTREP today. That's Vertical Replenishment. Moving big loads with the helicopter, suspended on a pendant below the aircraft. Actually we were moving stuff off the carrier onto a supply ship, so that another carrier moving in the opposite direction can receive it. And we have another full day tomorrow of the same. Kind of ironic actually. Today was Saturday, 18 August 2007. Tomorrow is Saturday, 18 August 2007. Again. Groundhog Day is a perfect description of our two 18th's. The keen geographer will realize that tonight our repeat of days represents crossing the international dateline. We go from 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time to 12 hours behind. Time stays the same but the date changes by one day. So now I am simply 5 hours behind San Diego. Not -5 hours, + 1 day or +19 hours, or any such silliness. The math is much easier now. And it gets easier every day. Hallelujah. I am still scrambling to catch up on paperwork that I put off during Valiant Shield and tring to minimize the work I'll have to do during Tiger Cruise. It's coming together. Fortunately, my Tigers will have plenty to do touring the ship and getting their Tiger PQS signed off. See the bloglossary for an explanation of PQS. For those who complete the PQS, they will earn a Tiger Warfare Qualification Pin at the end of the cruise.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Mystery roommate
Another day down, another day closer to home. Just a couple short flights today. Most of the airwing had the day off. "No fly days" are rarely truly no-fly days for us. There's always something for the helo guys to do. Move people around the strike group, cover plane guard for a COD launch, deliver mail, you name it.
When we were in Hong Kong, my roommate (the previous Ops O) flew to Hawaii to be a liaison to the Air Force for our airwing. From there he flew home to meet his two-month old son. So for a few days, I had the room to myself. On the first day of Valiant Shield, as I was getting ready for bed I noticed that there was a duffel bag stuffed in the corner of my room. After a moment of confusion, I realized that the curtains on the bottom rack were shut. Out of no-where I had a new roommate! It was four days before I actually met the guy. Turned out, he was a reservist submariner, here doing his one-week summer vacation, working for the destroyer squadron as a sub liaison. He was on the midnight to noon watch, which explained why I never saw him. By the time I went to bed around 0100 or 0200, he was up and on watch. Then I was up by 9 or 10 and in the ready room or flying before he went to bed in the mid afternoon. Even after I met him, we never really had more than a minute or two that were in the room at the same time. Now he's gone and I have the room to myself again. Until Tiger Cruise, I'm sure.
We have over 1000 people joining us in Hawaii to ride the ship back to San Diego. Among those thousand plus people will be my mom (aka Nana) and Katelynn. Just under a week before I meet them in Waikiki. We'll have one night out in town, about 36 hours to explore Honolulu, and then they get to experience Navy life first hand for a whole week! I know they're both excited about the trip. I can't wait, either.
One of the Officers in Charge of the SH-60B detachments on the cruiser in our strike group is visiting the carrier today, so we spent some time walking around. I tried to explain a little about how we operate over here, in contrast to their much smaller world on the "Small Boy". Tomorrow he leaves and the other OIC from a different ship will visit for a day. I'm not sure why everyone wants to come visit, but I don't mind playing tour guide.
I have the day alert tomorrow, so I actually need to get to bed at a decent hour for the first time in a couple weeks. That brief will come way too early.
When we were in Hong Kong, my roommate (the previous Ops O) flew to Hawaii to be a liaison to the Air Force for our airwing. From there he flew home to meet his two-month old son. So for a few days, I had the room to myself. On the first day of Valiant Shield, as I was getting ready for bed I noticed that there was a duffel bag stuffed in the corner of my room. After a moment of confusion, I realized that the curtains on the bottom rack were shut. Out of no-where I had a new roommate! It was four days before I actually met the guy. Turned out, he was a reservist submariner, here doing his one-week summer vacation, working for the destroyer squadron as a sub liaison. He was on the midnight to noon watch, which explained why I never saw him. By the time I went to bed around 0100 or 0200, he was up and on watch. Then I was up by 9 or 10 and in the ready room or flying before he went to bed in the mid afternoon. Even after I met him, we never really had more than a minute or two that were in the room at the same time. Now he's gone and I have the room to myself again. Until Tiger Cruise, I'm sure.
We have over 1000 people joining us in Hawaii to ride the ship back to San Diego. Among those thousand plus people will be my mom (aka Nana) and Katelynn. Just under a week before I meet them in Waikiki. We'll have one night out in town, about 36 hours to explore Honolulu, and then they get to experience Navy life first hand for a whole week! I know they're both excited about the trip. I can't wait, either.
One of the Officers in Charge of the SH-60B detachments on the cruiser in our strike group is visiting the carrier today, so we spent some time walking around. I tried to explain a little about how we operate over here, in contrast to their much smaller world on the "Small Boy". Tomorrow he leaves and the other OIC from a different ship will visit for a day. I'm not sure why everyone wants to come visit, but I don't mind playing tour guide.
I have the day alert tomorrow, so I actually need to get to bed at a decent hour for the first time in a couple weeks. That brief will come way too early.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Whew!!
Let's see. The last time I wrote was on... I can't remember the last time I wrote. I know I was sitting in the hotel waiting for Janell. Other than that, the last few weeks are a complete blur. I'm sure most have heard by now or read elsewhere that Janell and I were able to enjoy 5 days in Singapore together. We had a great time and spoiled our selves with tours, dinner on the 70th floor, and a spa treatment that left my skin WAY too soft. Nuff said about that. The visit ended far too quickly and I boarded the ship again and she flew home just as her brain had adjusted to the 9 hour time difference.
We had another stop in Hong Kong a few days later. I actually didn't do too much there. The day after Singapore, I finally became the Operations Officer for the squadron. My work load and "busy-ness" quadrupled on that day. Being OpsO on deployment--even at the end of deployment when things should be slowing down--is a challenging job. The puzzle of writing a safe and effective flight schedule and keeping all of the "stake-holders" in our mission areas aware of what we're planning and what we're doing is more than a full time job. As the MO, I had a very large department of extremely bright people who made everything happen. They made my job very easy. As OpsO, I have a hand full of JO's and about 25 enlisted aircrew, but most of the elements of running Ops and making decisions and communicating fall to me. Another element of the busy-ness was our preparation for a major exercise that was scheduled to follow Hong Kong: Valiant Shield.
I spent the first day of Hong Kong on the ship, writing rough flight schedules for the first week of Valiant Shield. It was going to be a very busy seven-day exercise and I knew I needed to get ahead. Leaving a day and a half early to fly into Singapore hadn't helped with that (not that I was complaining, believe me). I did get off the ship for the next four days. I had a custom suit made at Sam's Tailor Shop. I was measured on Tuesday around noon, fitted with a half-contructed suit at noon on Wed, and picked up a completed suite and two custom make shirts at 2pm on Thursday!! I couldn't believe it. Sam said they put all other orders on hold when carriers pull in because of the volume of orders they get. He wouldn't tell me how many orders he had taken while we were there. I imagine it was close to a hundred. Unbelievable. On the last day, I was able to have dinner with an American family who is living in Hong Kong. The ship set up a program called "Sailors in the Home" through which local families could host sailors for a home-cooked meal while we were in port. A group of 3 other officers and I visited our family and enjoyed their company and played with their two young sons for several hours. It was nice to be in the midst of a family again, but it obviously only made me miss my own even more. I really didn't do much else worth mentioning in Hong Kong, other than buying more gifts for the girls in Stanley Market. I went there twice with two different "liberty buddies".
After Hong Kong, we had a few days to finish our preparations for Valiant Shield. The exercise lasted for seven days and involved three carrier strike groups, several Air Force squadrons, and a ton of submarines. HS-8's primary objective during the exercise was to protect our carrier from getting attacked by submarines. Not only did we do that, but we "sunk" many of the "enemy" submarines who were lurking about. In six weeks, our squadron transitions to a new helicopter that is not equipped to do Anti-Submarine Warfare. This was our last push for ASW training and our last obligation to employ those skills. I am very proud of the squadron. At midrats tonight, CAG mentioned that we had earned "rock star" status for our ASW performance. It was a tiring week of flying twice a day, writing nearly impossible flight schedules, and running around tracking down details and coordinating changes when aircraft broke. About 3 hours ago, the exercise officially ended. Now just some wrap-up paperwork, and I'm done.
Life will finally slow down a little. I'll still be busy, but maybe I'll have time to run for the first time since we left the gulf!! Yes, it's been that long. Not that I couldn't, but finding both the time and energy has been a challenge. It's time to go home. One week to Hawaii, then one more week to home. The end is near. It's good to be back on the blog.
We had another stop in Hong Kong a few days later. I actually didn't do too much there. The day after Singapore, I finally became the Operations Officer for the squadron. My work load and "busy-ness" quadrupled on that day. Being OpsO on deployment--even at the end of deployment when things should be slowing down--is a challenging job. The puzzle of writing a safe and effective flight schedule and keeping all of the "stake-holders" in our mission areas aware of what we're planning and what we're doing is more than a full time job. As the MO, I had a very large department of extremely bright people who made everything happen. They made my job very easy. As OpsO, I have a hand full of JO's and about 25 enlisted aircrew, but most of the elements of running Ops and making decisions and communicating fall to me. Another element of the busy-ness was our preparation for a major exercise that was scheduled to follow Hong Kong: Valiant Shield.
I spent the first day of Hong Kong on the ship, writing rough flight schedules for the first week of Valiant Shield. It was going to be a very busy seven-day exercise and I knew I needed to get ahead. Leaving a day and a half early to fly into Singapore hadn't helped with that (not that I was complaining, believe me). I did get off the ship for the next four days. I had a custom suit made at Sam's Tailor Shop. I was measured on Tuesday around noon, fitted with a half-contructed suit at noon on Wed, and picked up a completed suite and two custom make shirts at 2pm on Thursday!! I couldn't believe it. Sam said they put all other orders on hold when carriers pull in because of the volume of orders they get. He wouldn't tell me how many orders he had taken while we were there. I imagine it was close to a hundred. Unbelievable. On the last day, I was able to have dinner with an American family who is living in Hong Kong. The ship set up a program called "Sailors in the Home" through which local families could host sailors for a home-cooked meal while we were in port. A group of 3 other officers and I visited our family and enjoyed their company and played with their two young sons for several hours. It was nice to be in the midst of a family again, but it obviously only made me miss my own even more. I really didn't do much else worth mentioning in Hong Kong, other than buying more gifts for the girls in Stanley Market. I went there twice with two different "liberty buddies".
After Hong Kong, we had a few days to finish our preparations for Valiant Shield. The exercise lasted for seven days and involved three carrier strike groups, several Air Force squadrons, and a ton of submarines. HS-8's primary objective during the exercise was to protect our carrier from getting attacked by submarines. Not only did we do that, but we "sunk" many of the "enemy" submarines who were lurking about. In six weeks, our squadron transitions to a new helicopter that is not equipped to do Anti-Submarine Warfare. This was our last push for ASW training and our last obligation to employ those skills. I am very proud of the squadron. At midrats tonight, CAG mentioned that we had earned "rock star" status for our ASW performance. It was a tiring week of flying twice a day, writing nearly impossible flight schedules, and running around tracking down details and coordinating changes when aircraft broke. About 3 hours ago, the exercise officially ended. Now just some wrap-up paperwork, and I'm done.
Life will finally slow down a little. I'll still be busy, but maybe I'll have time to run for the first time since we left the gulf!! Yes, it's been that long. Not that I couldn't, but finding both the time and energy has been a challenge. It's time to go home. One week to Hawaii, then one more week to home. The end is near. It's good to be back on the blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
